"Turkey international Sahin, 23, will join on a season-long basis if the player and clubs reach an agreement."

Naturally, the "if" in the sentence makes the story what it still is: a rumor. But what is interesting is that the if persists, so much so that a reputable news agency would report it. I, for one, hope this turns from rumor to reality.

There are three reasons why I'd like to see the rumor become a reality.

Arsenal Will Begin Their Season Shorn of the Full Complement of Their Midfielders

Tomas Rosicky, for example, is to be "up to two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an injured Achilles tendon," reports ESPN Soccernet. Similarly, Jack Wilshere isn't likely to return from injury any time before November.

Arsene Wenger states that the earliest Wilshere can return is October. Moreover, the fact that Aaron Ramsey is playing for Great Britain at the Olympics means that he isn't likely to begin the season as fresh as would be desired.

As things stand, this leaves Arsenal without any recognized creative midfielder ready to go at the beginning of the season, although, of course, it can't be said that Arsenal are totally devoid of options here.

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Abou Diaby will return, but how will he fare?

If Wenger begins the season with a fluid 4-3-3, the trio of Alex Song, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby could adequately marshal Arsenal's midfield. There is, of course, the possibility that Lukas Podolski could play there, as could Robin van Persie were he to renounce his current stance.

However, if Wenger opts for his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, it isn't clear that the fluidity of movement for which Arsenal are known will be in place early in the season. Furthermore, the fact that Abou Diaby is returning from a major injury means that he mustn't be pushed too much and too quickly at the beginning of the season.

Besides, the gruesomeness of the Premier League campaign means a manager must have a sufficient enough pool of players to allow for rotation. This forestalls unnecessary injuries and burnout.

The foregoing, therefore, is one reason I believe Arsenal should go for Sahin. He'd be one more option to call upon.

There are situations during the long and tasking season when this dimension is required. That is, not merely the ability to make the long pass, but the need to convert dead balls into goals. Sahin did that for Dortmund a number of times in the 2010-11 season.

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The date of Wilshere's return is not really certain.

The reader would recall how Robin van Persie rescued Arsenal with a free kick gainst Sunderland early last season during the doom-and-gloom period. It is an ability, I believe, that will come in handy for Arsenal were they to sign Sahin.

It Is Better to Have Surplus Options Than Limited Ones

Both Ramsey and Rosicky were overplayed last year due to limited availability of midfielders, and both suffered.

Subsequently, when the options weren't available, Arsenal gave away points needlessly. The loss away to Swansea comes to mind. Likewise, a certain disjointedness overtook Arsenal when the team was constrained to play without its proper complement of midfielders.

The fact that we are not sure when Wilshere will return, in addition to the fact that we don't know how Diaby will fare, means that what seems a potential fount of riches could quickly become a locus of drought.

Take away Rosicky (who will be missing at the beginning of the season), Diaby (who could relapse) and Wilshere (whose date of return is not certain), and suddenly you see how barren the Arsenal midfield is. In the light of this reality, the addition of Sahin can only be beneficial to Arsenal.

Moreover, the fact that this is being suggested (reported) as a loan option means that in the event of a flop, Sahin wouldn't tie up Arsenal's resources. I, however, do not believe he'd be a flop. I rather think that if the option existed for a permanent move, Arsenal should take it.

I foresee Sahin having a breakthrough at Arsenal (that is if the rumor becomes a reality), such that afterwards Real Madrid will assert their right for the player.

As is normal, this is merely a rumor; a fact that renders moot the three points. However, if it is understood that this represents my wish for this option, the article should fall into its proper place.